All posts by Sean McGowan

About Sean McGowan

Sean is a die-hard Cubs fan, despite the relentless peer pressure coming from the rest of the Republic-Times staff. He and his wife, Jacqui, have been married for two years. Originally from the west suburbs of Chicago, Sean and his wife moved down to Normal to attend Illinois State University and stayed central Illinois residents for the past four years. email:sean@republictimes.net

Three young men are breathing new life into the miniature golf course on the J.B. Golf Tee campus at 2400 Ramsey Road in Columbia. Brothers Chase and Logan Taake and friend Blake Holmes, all of Columbia, brainstormed...

As with every other year, Renee Ades of the American Heart Association stood before the Waterloo School Board Monday night to recognize students and staff for their recent fundraising efforts. She touted the accomplishments of Gardner, Rogers,...

The Waterloo Chamber of Commerce welcomed a fresh face into its executive director position this week, and she looks forward to the excitement of the new opportunity. Roberta Rohwedder, 28, resigned after eight years as a universal...

Seeing the myriad of issues schoolchildren continue to face, Monroe-Randolph regional superintendent Kelton Davis is getting in on the ground floor to provide safer learning environments in the region. The issue of school safety in the nation...

Gov. Bruce Rauner’s message reverberated through the underground Rock City development in Valmeyer during Thursday’s grand opening of one of the largest employers in Monroe County. “You guys are what the American economy is all about,” he...

The Waterloo City Council saw three new police officers sworn into duty and approved a zoning change regarding modular homes during Monday’s meeting. New officers joining the Waterloo Police Department are Nicholas Elliott, Andrew Potter and Joshua...

From handicap parking spaces to office cubicles, House of Neighborly Service volunteers are enjoying the perks of their new space at 1331 Jamie Lane in Waterloo. “We’ve got our handicap space and our rent is the same...

After handily defeating his primary opponent in March, Democrat Brendan Kelly is gearing up for a heated 12th Congressional District race against incumbent Mike Bost (R-Murphysboro). Kelly sat down with the Republic-Times on Monday to weigh in...

Some expressed confidence in the administration’s ability to keep the schools safe. Others shared frustrations with a lack of initiative toward increasing security within the Columbia School District. Regardless of the opinion, worry or suggestion, Columbia parents...